Combined file-case and desk



(No Model.) 2 sheetsesheet l. W. H.-- ROBERTS.

I COMBINED FILE CASE AND DESK! No. 536,098. Patented Mar. 19,1895.

-(No Model.

' I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. H. ROBERTS. GOMBINED- FILE CASE AND DESKQ Patented Mar. 19

I l I I I l l l l l l l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. ROBERTS, OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

. COMBINED FILE-CASE AND DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,098, dated March 19, 1895.

Application filed June 20, 18 94. Serial No. 515,174. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. RoBERrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knoxville, in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Gombined File-Case and Desk, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a combined file-case, reference calendar, and desk; and the objects and advantages thereof will appear in the following description, the novel features being particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:Figure Us a perspective view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing the desk in full lines in its folded position and in dotted lines in its operative and in its closing positions. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the calendar used in connection with the cabinet. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 5 is a detail view in section of one of the clips. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the sliding plate to show one of the guiding lugs.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlngs.

l designates the case or cabinet proper, in the center of the front wall of which is arranged a perpetual or century calendar 2, so constructed as to permit of adjustment to suit the month and year, and affixed to the front of the case or cabinet contiguous to this calendar are spring actuated clips 3, nu mbered to correspond with and indicate the days of the month. At the bottom of the case or cabinet is arranged a series of drawers 4, adapted to contain those articles which are necessary in connection with the use of the desk, and at the top is a compartment 5 providedwith a hinged cover 6. In this compartment is a series of boxes or receptacles 7 corresponding in number with the number of months in a year and labeled to indicate such months. Mail and delivery boxes 8 and 9 are arranged respectively at the upper right and left hand corners of the case or cabinet.

The desk top 10 is connected to the case or cabinet by means whereby it is capable of occupying the operative position shown in Fig.1 and of being folded upward to cover and close the front of the case or cabinet in net and extending to a point slightly below the .plane of the bottom of the same.

Hinged to the rear wall of the cabinet which extends below the plane of said bottom thereof are the arms 14, which are adapted to be folded in planes parallel with said rear wall, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, or to be extended to support the desk top 10, asshown in full lines in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Furthermore, this desk top is adapted to be folded upward or arranged in a vertical plane to perform the function of a closure for the front of the cabinet, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which case the plate 11 is arranged in a substantially horizontal position below the plane of the bottom of the cabinet. The upper or free edge of the desk top is preferably provided with a locking device, such as a mortise-lock, to engage a lug 15 on the front wall of the cabinet.

From the above description it will be seen that the desk top and plate to which it is hinged may be arranged in a vertical position in the receptacle 16 at the back of the cabinet, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, or it may be extended to serve as a rest for writing purposes, or arranged in a vertical position in front of the cabinet to prevent disturbance of the records furnished by the cards or slips secured in the clips 3.

In the side of the case or cabinet is fitted a door 17, by means of which communication may be had with a book-closet l8, and this bookcloset may be duplicated upon the opposite side of the cabinet.

It will be seen that future engagements of the present or current month may be indicated by means of cards or slips of paper en-- gaged by the spring-clips or clamps on the front of the case or cabinet, and that future engagements of succeeding months may be indicated by similar cards or slips placed in boxes or receptacles in the upper compartment of the case or cabinet, according to the months in which those engagements occur. At the end of each month the cards or slips in the box or receptacle bearing the name of the succeeding month are in turn placed in an exposed position upon the front of the case or cabinet under the particular dates to which the engagements refer.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having described the invention, what I claim is- 1. Acase or cabinet for the purpose described, having at its top a compartment 5 provided with a closure 6, a series of juxtaposed removable receptacles 7 arranged in said compartment, a sheath or receptacle arranged contiguous to the rear wall of the case or cabinet, a cupboard 18 arranged beneath the compartment 5, a projection 15 on the front side of the case or cabinet, a plate slidably mounted in the cavity or receptacle adjacent to the rear Wall of the case or cabinet by meansof lugs engaging grooves in the side walls of the cavity or receptacle, a desk top hinged to the lower edge of said plate, means for supporting the desk top in an approximately horizontal position, and a series of clamps attached to the front of the case or cabinet below the plane of the projection 15, whereby when the desk top is arranged in a vertical position with its upper edge in contact with said projection the clamps are covered thereby, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a case or cabinet provided adjacent to its rear wall with a cavity or receptacle, a plate slidably mounted in said cavity or receptacle and having lateral lugs engaging ways or guides therein, a desk top hinged to the lower edge of said plate, and so pporting arms hinged to the rear wall of the desk and adapted to be extended below the plane of the desk top when the latteris in its operative or approximately horizontal position, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM H. ROBERTS.

lVitnesses:

W. H. HAGUE, FRANK C. KIMBALL. 

